SWSiouxMN Posted January 3, 2020 Posted January 3, 2020 Using a hot 2nd half shooting performance and clutch free throws down the stretch, UND did something rare in their d1 history... win their conference opener. UND looks to do the same in their conference home opener as they host Fort Wayne, who is adjusting to life after John Konchar. About Fort Wayne: The Dons have been members of the Summit League since 2007, during that time they have been consistently been in the top half or in the middle of the pack of the conference standings, under 3 different coaches. The two big story out of Fort Wayne this year both relate to change. First: The Dons are leaving for the Horizon League to join rival IUPUI (who left a couple of years ago) and more regional schools in 2020-21, so this is their final go around in the conference. Second: They are adjusting to like without do it all big man John Konchar, who has graduated and now is floating around in the G-League. Nevertheless, this junior heavy squad had done okay so far to start the season. They are around .500 and coming off a big win at home against one of the league favorites in South Dakota. They have a great 1-2 punch at the guard with Jarred Godfrey and Brain Patrick. They don't have the great rebounder in Konchar anymore, but they still rebound well as a team (crushed USD on the boards 44-29). Picked 6th in the Summit, The Dons would love nothing more than to leave the Summit League with the one thing that has eluded them so far, a trip to the NCAA tournament. About Jon Coffman: Coach Coffman is in his 6th year as head coach at Fort Wayne (and 9th overall). His record is currently 103-74 (46-33 in Summit League). He has been a solid coach for the Dons, they have always finished with a winning record under Coffman and have finished no worse than 4th in the Summit. The did share a Summit Regular Season Title in 2015-16, but Coffman is missing one thing currently: An NCAA tournament appearance. Can he get it in his final chance in the Summit? Or will it have to wait for the Horizon League in 2021? Key Players: Jarred Godfrey (6'5 Sophomore) and Brian Patrick (6'5 Junior) Replacing an do-it-all player in Konchar is tough, but these two are making it a lot easier for Fort Wayne to deal with it. The Sophomore Godfrey is the more attacking guard and looks to get to the rim and shoot it from distance. He does turn the ball over so that will be something to watch. The Kansas State Transfer Patrick has been a shot in the arm for the Dons and has shot it well from 3. Both are average from the free throw line. These two are going to need to be slowed down for UND to have a chance. Series History: These two schools split the series last year, winning on each others home courts. The Dons lead the all time series 3-1 Stats: Rebraca 11 point, 16 rebound effort was his 3rd straight double-double, the first UND player to do that at the D1 level. That is also his 9th of the season and his 11th of his young career Stewart current leads the Summit in Assists (5.1 a game) and is 4th in scoring (15.9 a game) Fort Wayne Jarred Godfrey is 3rd in scoring in the Summit with 16.3 a game. Milestone Watch: Stewart is currently sitting at 890 career points (883 at UND). He is 110 points away from 1000 career points at UND. He should reach it sometime during the 1st half of conference play. Other Games: Sat 1/4 WIU (1-1) @ SDSU (1-1): WIU dropped one in Fargo but still has that victory over USD in their pockets. SDSU bounces back with a big win against ORU. Can the Bunnies exact a little revenge from their summit league tourney loss last year? Or will WIU make another statement that they could be ready to not be a bottom feeder ORU (0-1) @ Omaha (1-0): ORU dropped one in Brookings and now head to Omaha to avoid falling to 0-2. Omaha took down the Bunnies and would love to start 2-0 and prove that last year was not a fluke. Should be a great battle inside between ORU bigs and Pile of Omaha Sun 1/5 Northland @ NDSU (2-0): Bison did what they needed to do in conference play and look like the favorites many picked them to be. Should be a laugher here. DU (0-2) @ USD (0-2): Is a little silly to call this a must win for the Yotes... but they need to win this one, they cannot afford to fall to 0-3 in conference play if they want a shot at the title. Denver dropped a pair at home to the NoDak schools, so they know they have to steal some wins elsewhere so they do not finish as the last team out. Keys: 1) Get off to a good start: Fort Wayne hasn't been a team getting off to great starts, so if UND can jump out early, that would be huge. 2) Win the turnover battle: We know of UNDs struggles, but this is a team that UND can turn over as well. 3) Rebraca needs to play big: He will be the best big on the floor and he needs to play like it. 3 double-double in a row and he should try and make it four. Haven't had a 20-10 game from him in a while, The Call If UND has serious thoughts of finishing in the top half of the Summit, then defending the Betty floor is a must. Going 3-5 last year at home in conference play is not a recipe for success. UND is going to have to slow down the Dons guards, win the rebounding battle, and hit some shots at home. I think Rebraca gets his 4th double-double in a row, Marlon and DAE slow down Godfrey and Patrick enough for UND to win and get to 2-0 in conference play UND 79-74 Game is on the Plus and Midco Quote
NoLeftHand4 Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 Is anyone there? Is Godfrey playing for PFW? I heard he was hurt last game Quote
NoLeftHand4 Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 Nevermind. Looks hes like hes playing. Oh well Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 Walter with the midrange after some good ball movement 2-2 Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 Marlon needs to take those 3's 1-2 feet closer 9-7 Fort Wayne Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 Media Fort Wayne up 9-7 13:41 to go in the half Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 Billups leads all scorers with 5 points Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 11-7 after Godfrey 2 free throws Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 Rebraca with the mid-range 11-9 Dons Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 meanwhile Godfrey blows by Davids 13-9 Dons Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 Davids makes up for it with a 3 13-12 Dons Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 we go to the under 12 Dons up 13-12 11:04 to go Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 Both teams are playing ok, I wouldn't say one team looks better than the other right now. Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 um… okay, heads up in the students section over there Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 Rebraca from about 10 feet 15-14 Dons Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted January 5, 2020 Author Posted January 5, 2020 TO Dons after the dunk 17-14 Dons Quote
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